Thirty-year-old Anna Hemmings, from London, is hoping to lead British medal attempts in flatwater canoeing at this summer's Beijing Olympics.

Between now and then she will be writing updates on her progress for BBC Sport, starting with the Olympic team selection trials - which will make or break Olympic hopes.

This weekend it's the GB Team Olympic selection in Nottingham. It's a significant race in my career but rather than see the pressure as a burden, I'm trying to take it positively and see it as a great challenge. I want to do well and go on to the Final Olympic qualifications in Milan in two weeks' time.

If I get to Beijing it won't be my first Olympics - I competed in Sydney in 2000. What an experience that was. The trip, the racing and the sense of occasion that surrounded Australia were unforgettable. I was knocked out at the semi-final stage of the women's K1 (one-person kayak) 500m, and that's the performance I would like to beat in Beijing.

I really enjoy training and I get enough sponsorship from Pindar and lottery funding to effectively be a professional and train full-time. Ninety per cent of the work I do is on the water and usually I'll get out there twice a day.

We use three different stretches of the Thames; at Weybridge, Eton (the 2012 venue) and Kingston. Having different venues helps to keep me fresh and it's the same with the training, my coach Miklos Simon tries to vary it. A couple of weeks ago I even went in a K4 (four-person kayak) and realised it was the first time I had been in one for seven years! It's great sprint practice and gets the arms whizzing at up to 145 strokes a minute.

When I'm not on the water I'll do a small amount of running but more gym work. Canoeing is an "all-body workout" so as well as the obvious strength required in your arms and shoulders, you need a huge amount of "core strength" conditioning.

The core is all of the muscles around what is called the "trunk" of your body, like your abs and lower back. These muscles allow you to balance the boat and hold your spine and body in the correct position for paddling. This is vital because if you aren't in the right body position then these muscles will contribute less towards powering the boat forwards - and other muscles such as your arms and shoulders will not be able to make the most difference. And that is before you consider the position the boat is in!

I tend to get really quite nervous before big races, but I imagine it's the same for athletes in other sports. I was reading something the other day about Roger Federer saying he gets nervous before big matches. I also saw in the newspaper, Richard Hill, the England rugby player saying being nervous is what lets him know he is ready! I guess it all comes from fear of failure or not giving a good account of yourself.

I have been asked many times whether I am superstitious. Not really is the answer and I don't think I have rituals, but I do have habits. I always smear my paddle with dirt and then dunk it in the water, but that is more for a practical reason, to help with gripping the paddle.

A lot of people have also asked me what my plans are post-Beijing. The short answer is I do not know yet. I am due to defend my World Marathon title in September, but this year is also a big year for me off the water as I am getting married in September. Obviously London 2012 would be a dream, but at this stage I am concentrating on 2008!